Table 2 Site characteristics and operational changes of four syringe service programs in Massachusetts, July–October, 2020
Site A | Site B | Site C | Site D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
City population | 150,000–200,000 | 150,000–200,000 | > 500,000 | < 50,000 |
Time period of data collection | July 2020 | July 2020 | August–September 2020 | October 2020 |
Full time operations | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (part time from March–April 2020) |
Harm reduction services | Outdoor operations Online overdose prevention and remote naloxone kits assembly Increased community outreach and delivery of harm reduction equipment Temporary pause on post-overdose outreach until mid-July | Outdoor operations Increased community outreach and delivery of harm reduction equipment Use of mobile vehicle to facilitate community outreach Innovative client hotline to request for sterile supply delivery | Outdoor operations Increased community outreach and delivery of harm reduction equipment Innovative use of telemedicine for sterile supply and naloxone distribution | Outdoor operations until October Limited capacity available on-site Remote naloxone trainings continued for local organizations Innovative use of incentives to increase client uptake of naloxone and harm reduction trainings |
Clinical services | Paused on-site testing of HIV and sexually transmitted infections Increased off-site testing of HIV and sexually transmitted infections Paused client education on safe injection practices Provided COVID-19 policy updates for detox facilities and social programs Continued provision of referrals and transportation to detox facilities (if available) | Paused testing of HIV and sexually transmitted infections Provided COVID-19 policy updates for detox facilities and social programs | Expanded community outreach to provide clinical consults, medications for HIV and opioid agonist therapy-used telemedicine innovations to continue clinical services remotely On-site clinic re-opened at limited capacity August 2020 Provided COVID-19 policy updates for detox facilities and social programs Continued provision of referrals and transportation to detox facilities (if available) | Paused on-site testing of HIV and sexually transmitted infections until October 2020 |
Miscellaneous programs | Expanded services to provide clients meals Snacks provided during outreach Food pantry operated outdoors | Expanded services to provide clients meals | Expanded services to provide clients meals |